The GRR in Student Academic Success!Presented by:

Kimberley Nanez, Director, Student Academic Success Center Michelle Anguiano, Academic Success Coach

History of Texas A&M University-San Antonio❏ A&M-SA became a standalone institution in 2009❏ From 2009-Summer 2016 the institution was an upper division institution

❏ Served students who earned 45 hours or more, core complete, earning their Bachelor’s degree❏ Accepted the first class of freshmen for fall 2016

❏ 501 students❏ 445 of the 501 students are from

the San Antonio area

DemographicsFall 2016 Class1st Class admitted = 501

Demographics Number Percentage

1st generation 190 38%

Hispanic/Latino/a 301 60%

Student Academic Success Center

Where do we fit in?

Student Academic Success Center (SASC)

Student Academic Success Center (SASC)

Academic Success Coaches ❏ Why a success coach?

❏ At A&M-SA,Advising focuses on degree completion, registration, course selection, graduation❏ All the other intangible issues a student faces are often difficult to explore in advising sessions

❏ These things can be touched on, but at A&M-SA the success coaches sole responsibility is the intangibles

❏ What does a success coach do?❏ Resource hub for student❏ Probation Programming❏ Motivator/Cheerleader❏ Skill building (time management, note-taking styles, learning styles, motivation, reading

comprehension, study skills, test taking tips)❏ TSI Counseling❏ Transitional Guides from high school to University, transfer student transitioning from

community college to University, and 1st year to 2nd year

SASC Cont’d

❏ The success coach-student relationship is key to retention efforts at A&M-SA

Semester Retention Number Percentage

Spring 2017 437 86%

Fall 2017 352 70%

A Look at the Numbers

Semester Academic Standing Number Percentage

End of Fall 2016 Academic Warning 111 of 501 22%

End of Spring 2017 Scholastic Probation 132 of 437 30%

Beginning of Fall 2017

Scholastic Probation 81 out of 352 23%

A Closer Look to Develop Academic Success

Theories

❏ Proactive Advising❏ Appreciative Advising❏ Schlossberg’s Transition Theory❏ Validation Theory ❏ Gradual Release of Responsibility

Appreciative Advising

http://www.appreciativeadvising.net/what-is-appreciative-advising.html

Schlossberg’s Transition TheoryTransition defined as any event, or non-event that results in changed relationships, routines, assumptions, and roles.

Types of Transition❏ Anticipated transitions❏ Unanticipated transitions❏ Non-events

Situations - 4 S’s❏ Situation❏ Self❏ Support❏ Strategies

http://www.unthsc.edu/students/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/Schlossberg.pdf

Excerpt from pp. 111-114 of Student Development in College: Theory, Research, and Practice by Evans, Forney, and Guido-DiBrito (1998). Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Rendon’s Validation Theory

Validation is an enabling, confirming and supportive process initiated by in- and out-of-class agents that fosters academic and personal development (Rendón, 1994).

There are two forms of validation:

1.Academic -- when in- and out-of-class agents take action to assist students to trust their innate capacity to learn and to acquire confidence in being a college student.2.Interpersonal -- when in- and out-of-class agents take action to foster students’ personal development and social adjustment

www.tgslc.org/ppt/Validation-student-success.ppt

Gradual Release of Responsibility Model

Step 1: The Crossroads

Reasons for Student Visits with the Coach

❏ Freshman Transition ❏ Academic Support❏ Academic Warning❏ Academic Probation ❏ Academic Dismissal❏ Referral/Early Alert

Being Present to the Student

What are we listening for?

❏ Patterns❏ Past Challenges❏ Current challenges❏ Academic history❏ Present circumstances ❏ Support system

Critical time to build trust and support

Student Success Emails

I just wanted to send you an email thanking you for your immense support today. I know we have not had a lot of interaction and you've known me for a very short amount of time, but the impact you have had on my life as a student and as a person has been enormous. I sincerely appreciate your help. It's hard to come across genuine people these days and the genuine care for me as a person and student has meant the world to me. Thank you so much.

-Transfer Student Fall 2016

Thank you very much for guiding me as I make this transition into a very big chapter in my life.

-Freshman Fall 2016

Thank you for today you lifted my spirits tremendously. I'm sorry I took up all your time. You're just so easy to speak with about everything. You are truly an asset to Texas A&M San Antonio, if they haven't verbally told you that in a while or ever. Believe me it shows in the students you take the time out for, and I'm one of those grateful students. -Thanks

-Student on Academic Probation Spring 2016

Step 2: Awareness and Connection Oh! No one ever told me that!

❏ The How To/Modeling ❏ Gradual Release of Responsibility: I do! (E.L. Achieve/2007)

❏ Reading Comprehension❏ Learning Styles❏ Time Management

❏ Academic Support and Referrals❏ Academic Learning Center❏ Student Counseling and Wellness Center❏ Disability Support Services❏ Outside Community Resources

Freshman Academic Plan

Step 3: Implementation Strategies/Tools for Success

❏ Prioritizing and organizing❏ Time management grid❏ Checklists❏ Phone reminders❏ Planners

❏ Reading comprehension strategies❏ Surveying chapters❏ Prior knowledge❏ Breaking chapters into small manageable pieces

❏ Support Services❏ Utilizing campus resources❏ Online resource guides❏ Check-Ins with Success Coach

https://spark.adobe.com/video/d4hkKXbYRKr5i

Step 4: ValidationHow are you doing?

❏ Gradual Release of Responsibility - We do! (E.L. Achieve/2007)❏ Measurements of Success

❏ Feedback❏ Improved study habits❏ Routine❏ Grades❏ Less stress

❏ Look for Gaps❏ Personal omissions❏ Missing information ❏ Are there others who may need to be involved?❏ Setting goals (SMART)

Validation Cont’d❏ A Look at Failure

❏ As marker for growth❏ Stepping out of comfort zone❏ Changing formula❏ Failure is not the end

Assignment - Goal Setting Here is a basic list of the goals you wanted me to create for you. I had created it in a journal but I just decided to type it up for you and show you what I had written down.

For education:

● Attend tutoring for stats every chance I get whenever I am not understanding the material being taught● Read my textbook at least 30 minutes everyday and follow the skills that my coach has taught me when reading● Study using the skills my coach has taught me, for example, using flashcards, or get with a study group

For health:

● Drink more water● Work out 30 mins to an hour 3 to 5 times a week ● Eat a healthier snack instead of chips● Take the stairs instead of the elevators● Love my body

Goals Cont...For spiritual:

● Continue going to church as normal● Pray a lot more, especially before meals, when I wake up and before I go to bed

For personal:

● Learn to be patient● Control my anxiety● Practice more on my driving so I can get my license● Learn to be positive● Be happy no matter what!

This is what I have so far, is this ok? I hope this helps with what you needed from me. Thank you,

Step 5: CompetencyLetting Go!

❏ Gradual Release of Responsibility- You Do! (E.L. Achieve/2007)❏ Evidence of Success

❏ Grades❏ Good Standing❏ Graduating❏ Confidence

❏ Pop-Ins (Surprise Visits)❏ Update on progress ❏ Share good news

❏ Mentee becomes Mentor

Full ReleaseAn Inspirer. An Empower. An Engager. These three characteristics are just a short sample of the many you demonstrate with me. I came to you a complete academic mess. My anxiety was high and my academic self esteem was low. You expressed to me that every student learns differently and you worked relentlessly to figure out what was the best way for me to understand. Too often we progress through life and do not invest the time to express our gratitude and authentic value of those who help with the growth whether it be personal or academic. You make me feel authentically supported when you say, “Please let me know how I can be helpful” and genuinely meant it. Also, the excitement you express as you saw my progression each time we met to go over whether it was a ant hill or mountain that I was having trouble with. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction to services that can help make my academic journey smoother.

As a success coach your title can ensure a role of heightening my knowledge in academics. However, you see me not as one of the many students you have, but instead you value me for my uniqueness and strengths. You promote an environment where I feel like I am able to advance and become a better student. There was never a moment I couldn't ask you question, or when I did was it trivial or a waste of your time.Thank you for being genuine. May you inspire others to achieve the greatness you have. - Senior

Take-Aways ❏ Disarm

❏ Warm greeting❏ Scents❏ Treats❏ Quotes ❏ Pictures

❏ Strategies/Tools for success❏ Planner❏ Time management Grid❏ Course Schedule sheets❏ http://www.studygs.net/

❏ Validation via Campus Resources❏ Tutoring services ❏ Counseling and Wellness❏ Disability Support Services❏ Campus organization

Lessons Learned❏ Students on Academic Warning need a minimum of two appointments in the

semester along with email/phone follow up to check on progress.

❏ Asking students to “show work” to make sure they are understanding

requirements of study skill assignments.

❏ Create more intentional activities, e.g., syllabus activity

❏ Transfer students who have been out of school for 2 years or more need to have

a 1 hour study skills workshop during orientation.

❏ Making sure students launch off and not latch on.

Contact Information:Michelle AnguianoStudent Success CoachStudent Success CenterTexas A&M University-San AntonioOne University WaySen. Frank Madla Building, 354San Antonio, TX 78224210-784-1404manguian@tamusa.eduLearner | Input | Activator | Intellectual | Individualization

Kimberley NanezDirector, Student Success CenterStudent Success CenterTexas A&M University-San AntonioOne University WaySen. Frank Madla Building, 336San Antonio, TX 78224210-784-1352kjnanez@tamusa.eduRelator | Strategic | Individualization | Achiever | Context